Groaning I fell back onto the couch, glancing over at Hotaru who was playing with some puzzle game that made noise.
"Firefly….Can you put that away? I have a headache." I asked, causing her to instantly stop and come oved to my side.
"Sorry Papa." She stated, though I just grinned.
"Thanks princess. I promise that as soon as you're well I'll take you to the park and we can play all day alright?" I replied, watching her dejected look turn light again.
"Really?"
She questioned slowly, causing me to laugh.
"Have I ever lied to you?"
I retorted, earning a wide smile.
"No!"
I could hear Michiru chuckle as she walked in, her hands still wet from the dinner dishes
"My….someone's hyper." She stated, ruffling Hotaru's hair before whispering something to her, which caused her to smile before leaving the room.
"Hyper isn't the word. That rattily puzzle tube thing has gave me one hell of a headache." I muttered once I knew she was gone, though Michiru only laughed.
"If someone hadn't got the idea of giving her too much sweets then maybe she wouldn't need the entertainment." Michiru laughed before adding "I figured you could use a break so I sent her upstairs to draw you a picture….that should give the aspirin enough time to work."
I chuckled at that as I closed my eyes "remind me to buy her a handheld videogame for her. Then when we need quite we can get her to play it."
I must have dozed off because suddenly I felt a hand shaking me and I sat up so quick that I knocked Hotaru over.
"Sorry! Geez….Are you okay?" I rushed, reaching down to help her up however to my surprise she just giggled.
"Sorry Papa!"
Relieved that she didn't think I meant I ruffled the girl's hair.
"How long was I out?"
I asked only to hear a chuckle come from behind me.
"All night. I had her wake you so that you'd know I was leaving. She's been up longer than I have so don't be surprised if she's cranky later." Michiru stated earning a glare from Hotaru who had climbed onto my lap.
"Don't worry…She'll be fine." I retorted.
Once Michiru left—after giving Hotaru her medicine—Hotaru turned to me, a nervous glint in her eyes as she produced a neatly folded piece of paper from the coffee table.
"Here papa…I was going to give you this last night but you were sleeping." She stated, handing it to me.
Carefully I unfolded it and smiled. The drawing might not have been very good but it was of our little 'family', including a taller stick figure labeled Setsuna.
"It's beautiful. Thank you." I stated, earning a blush from the little girl.
"It's not as good as Mama's paintings though."
I sighed at that and glanced up at the wall where Michiru had hung one of her painting, which seemed to be spaced themed though the nebula looked like a whale.
"Your draw better than I can…..My stick figures are even wobbly." I retorted, getting her to laugh as she climbed up onto my lap and looked up at me.
"You feeling better today papa?" she asked, hugging me.
"Yeah, I just had a headache last night firefly. I'm all better now." I assured then added "what would you like to do today?"
She seemed deep in thought for a few minutes before answering
"I don't know."
"Well I for one haven't had breakfast. How about we go do that first?" I suggested, earning a nod.
"What can you cook papa?" she asked me, causing me to blush.
"Well oatmeal and pancakes…..How about you show me where your mama keeps everything and I'll see what I can fix. " I answered.
After gathering the ingredients I set about to prepare breakfast, though it's kind of hard with a kid underfoot.
"Hey Hime-chan, want to help me stir up the batter?" I asked, earning a smile.
"Okay!"
I pulled a chair up to let her stand in so that she could reach the counter while I heated up the skillet.
"Like this Papa?" she asked after a while, calling my attention back to her.
"Yep. Now why don't you stir in that cup of chocolate chips?" I suggested, watching as she did that before turning to melt the butter.
"Here, let me pour it into the skillet. It'll taste a lot better that way." I added after some time, earning a laugh as she handed me the bowl.
It didn't take long for me to make the pancakes and then got a bottle of chocolate syrup out of the fridge.
"Come on, let's eat shrimp."
I knew she'd probably be hyper after this but she was feeling better and she could use the extra energy. Though I did regret it when I saw the mess that was all over her pajamas and face.
"You need a bath." I laughed as we ate, causing to blush though she didn't seem quite so nervous about it.
"Mama sometimes baths with me. Will you?"
She asked, causing me to laugh.
"If you want." I responded, my mouth full of food which only made her laugh.
"You're silly!" she stated, causing me to grin.
"Thank you." I retorted, causing her to laugh more.
As soon as we got done I put the dishes in the sink and went to the bathroom to start a bath in the large tub.
"Can I pick what I want to wear?" she asked from behind me, startling me.
"Shit kid! You startled me!" I found myself saying, though I was terrified that I had upset her after I had said it.
However to my relief she just laughed.
"How about we just put on our robes afterward? That way we'll not get our fresh clothes all sticky." I responded, helping her undress.
When we got into the water the bubbles reached her chin and covered most of me.
After I had gotten her clean I leaned back against the fair side of the tub, relaxing in the warm water as she played around with some little squirting water toy.
However after a few minutes I felt water hit me in the face and heard her gasp.
"You little rat!" I growled, knowing that she was scared but I also had the perfect payback.
Then while she was flinching a swiftly moved my arm, sloshing water into her.
"Take that!" I yelled, causing her to yelp but then she grinned before splashing back.
When we stopped I noticed the bathroom was covered in water.
"Let's get out and get dried off so I can clean up our mess." I stated, earning a sheepish look.
After I got the both of us dressed and cleaned up our tidal wave of a mess I headed downstairs only to find Hotaru hiding under a lump of covers.
"There…I'm done. What are you hiding from?" I stated, sitting down beside of her.
"Didn't mean to be a bother." I heard her whimper and I groaned.
"Hey...I splashed first and you're no bother so get those thoughts out of your head Princess." I retorted then added after a few minutes "I'm not mad nor will Michiru be."
She glanced out from under the blankets then before popping back inside.
"Eudial would say that too but she lied."
I didn't know who she was talking about but I had an idea at who it was.
"Firefly….We're not Eudial….we won't hurt you. I have been hit and cursed at, I know what that feels like and I would never want to make anyone feel worthless like I did. Michiru is too sweet to be like that….we won't abuse you kid. I know that fear but we need you to trust us….Like you trusted me earlier when I splashed you." I stated, slowly unfolding the bundle until I could make eye contact
"Understand?"
When she nodded I opened my arms, letting her crawl into my lap and hug me.
"Daddy? You love me right?" she asked and my heart broke.
"Of course." I answered and she suddenly sniffled.
"My other daddy was nice too…..but then he got mad a lot." She stated, nuzzling against me as tears began to pour down her face.
"Shh…That's all over. I'll be your Dad now Hime-chan and you won't have to worry about that ever again."
I felt tears come down my own cheeks as I said this and wondered if I would ever really have the heart to even be firm with this child, who seemed so broken in that moment that I honestly didn't want t even loosen my hold.
After a few minutes she looked up at me and just snuggled close.
"Daddy? Can we make a fort like we did at your house?" she asked and I laughed.
"Sure…let's go find the stuff kiddo."
We spent half the day playing inside the fort until it was time for her to take her medicine.
"I don't want to." She pouted, causing me to sigh.
I knew I probably should scold her or something but she was too damn cute for me to do that, and after all she wasn't wrong the stuff did taste bad.
After trying to negotiate with her for around ten minutes I was beginning to lose my patience.
"Hotaru….you have two options. Take your medicine now like you're supposed to or don't and you don't get any desert." I stated, feeling like shit for just saying that.
"Don't care!" she retorted grumpily, causing me to want to laugh though I held it in.
"Well you think about it for a few minutes and tell me what you decide." I retorted, kissing her on the head as I stood up and walked into the kitchen.
That little girl needs lunch, her medicine and a nap.
I thought with a chuckle as I searched in the fridge for something quick I could fix her for lunch and settled on the chicken nuggets.
I almost had lunch ready when I felt a tug at my pant leg.
"I'm sorry."
As soon as she said that I scooped her into my arms.
"I know sweetheart…..its okay." I replied as I felt her burry her face into my shoulder.
At least she's not crying or something.
I thought as I pulled away long enough to kiss her on the cheek, blowing a little to make her laugh.
"What's for lunch?" she asked once her giggles dulled down.
"Chicken nuggets and possibly ice-cream for desert." I answered then added "what do you want to drink squirt?"
After we ate—and she finally took her medicine—we both collapsed inside our fort with some board game that she wanted to play.
We were halfway through the game when she started yawning.
"Why don't you take a nap? I'll go clean up the dishes then I'll join you." I suggested though she only replied "I'll help!"
I sighed and shook my head.
"Fine…nap first." I stated, laying back down only to have Hotaru nestle against my side and cover us both with a blanket.
I tightened my arm around her, humming softly to try to lure her to sleep.
"Papa….I love you." She murmured tiredly and I felt my heart flutter a bit.
Since when could I help raise a kid?
"I love you too Hotaru." I replied, trying to hold back tears as I pulled her a bit closer.
I promise that I am going to be more of a father than yours ever was…..You'll never have to worry anymore.